Can type 2 diabetes be reversed?

A Chinese study published in The BMJ suggests that overweight and obese adults can reverse their type 2 diabetes by following a calorie-restricted diet and taking the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, dapagliflozin.

 

The study included 328 patients aged 20-70 years with a body mass index greater than 25, and who had been living with type 2 diabetes for less than six years. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups for 12 months: one group took dapagliflozin along with a moderate calorie-restricted diet (500-750 kcal/day reduction), while the other took a placebo and followed the same diet. All participants were encouraged to engage in 150 minutes of brisk walking per week or take more than 10,000 steps daily.

 

The study showed that 44 per cent of those taking dapagliflozin along with the calorie-restricted diet achieved diabetes remission, defined as maintaining normal blood sugar levels for at least two months after discontinuing their diabetic medication. This compared to just 28 per cent in the placebo group. Those on dapagliflozin also experienced greater weight loss, a more significant reduction in insulin resistance, and improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels. There were no significant differences in adverse events between the two groups.

 

“This study provides a practical strategy to achieve remission for patients with early type 2 diabetes,” the researchers concluded.

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